Mike Zeisberger, SUN MEDIA

MONTREAL- The Maple Leafs last night revealed they are lobbying to bring the NHL entry draft back to Toronto in the near future.

And in making that announcement, general manager Brian Burke took a stinging shot at the loyal Montreal Canadiens faithful.

Asked about being loudly jeered by the huge anti-Leafs throng at the Bell Centre last night when he stepped on to the podium to announce his team¹s first-round pick, Burke didn't mince his words about the Habs faithful.

"I don't give a rat's ass about that," Burke said of the booing. "The best hockey fans in the world are not here in Montreal, they are in Toronto.

"When (the draft) is in Toronto in a couple of years, (Friday's reaction) will be child's play."

Ouch!

The league has not announced where the draft will be held next year, although Burke suspects it might be unrealistic to expect Toronto to land it that soon. After that, however, all bets are off.

"We've just said that we would like to hold it as soon as it is available," Burke said.

The Leafs previously hosted the draft in 2002 when the event was held at the Air Canada Centre.